Scarves Book Review and Giveaway

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Today I’m sharing a review of Scarves and hosting a giveaway for my review copy, courtesy of the Guild of Master Craftsman. This book features 30 patterns for neckwarmers to suit a range of styles.  Patterns by more than 20 designers for scarves, cowls, snoods, keyhole scarves, and pocket scarves are included.  There are projects for virtually everyone, including some unisex scarves and a child’s scarf with a bunny made of scrap yarn.

Each project is photographed on a model — indoors, I might add, and well styled, so it is easy to see each scarf as a fashionable accessory, rather than a purely functional object.  There are also pictures of each scarf without the models.  Tiny versions of these photos are included in the table of contents, making it easy for you to find your favorite pattern.

The patterns are written using UK knitting and crochet pattern abbreviations, and four patterns also include charts.  The scarves use a variety of knitting techniques, including cables, lace, colorwork, grids, and beading, and several have really cute appliqués to add. A short techniques section in the back includes illustrations demonstrating different ways to cast on, how to knit and purl, basic crochet stitches (used for edging and finishing), and methods for finishing and embellishing.  There are some tips on color knitting which include pictures of the scarves matched up to the technique you should use (e.g., intarsia, Fair Isle).  Matching the method to the project is definitely helpful if you are a color knitting newbie!

On the downside, this book doesn’t include difficulty levels for patterns.  There are very few patterns which use charts or stitch symbols.  It’s a paperback, which means it doesn’t lay flat so you can read and knit.  And, like all pattern books, if you don’t like the projects, this may not be the book for you.

This is a fun book for knitters of all different skill levels. If you hate gauge swatching, you will be happy to know that nearly every pattern says that tension is not critical.  I recommend this book for knitters who like to make fashionable gifts and try out different techniques.  Ravelry members can see some of the projects from this book here.  Some of my favorite projects are Arnold the Asp, Cables and Lace, Dreamtime, Herringbone Lace, Honeycomb Hug, Shadowy Sheep, and Spirals.

Giveaway

I’ll be giving away my review copy of  Scarves.  This giveaway is open to all readers on the planet Earth.  Enter by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, October 19, 2012. 

I’m  blogging daily throughout October.  Visit I Saw You Dancing for more Blogtoberfest bloggers and CurlyPops for Blogtoberfest giveaways.  Search #blogtoberfest12 on Twitter.

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